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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Job Corps backers assail stats used to justify shutdown
CHICOPEE — Closing Job Corps programs like the one in Chicopee would be 'irrational,' a Wednesday court filing said. Backers insist the Department of Labor's case against the 60-year-old nationwide anti-poverty program is rife with falsified or misleading numbers. This week's complaint persuaded a federal judge to block a shutdown for now, setting up another legal test of the Trump administration's ability to write its own rules for executive branch agencies. As supporters fight to save the program, they are pointing to statistical errors the Department of Labor made in building a case to ax the program. The U.S. labor secretary said last week the Job Corps is failing its original mission and wasting taxpayer money. But supporters say the Department of Labor cherry-picked statistics it used in an April 'transparency report' in order to make the program look bad. On Capitol Hill, a New England lawmaker confronted Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer about that analysis a week before she announced the shutdown of 99 sites around the country, including the Westover Job Corps program in Chicopee. On Wednesday, a federal judge in New York City temporarily halted the closing, pending a court hearing June 17. Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, zeroed in on use of enrollment numbers depressed by the pandemic. 'All these numbers are based upon data from really the heart of the COVID epidemic, in which, because of COVID, enrollment was at 34%,' Reed said May 22 to Chavez-DeRemer, as she sat before members of a Congressional committee. 'Today enrollment is at 75%. And if you ran those numbers today, the cost per student would go down dramatically,' Reed said. 'So your argument that this is just a waste and too expensive is a direct result, a calculated result, of picking the most favorable point you could to reinforce an argument I would suspect the administration had before you even got there, which is 'Let's get rid of this program,'' he said. 'That's not a true statement,' Chavez-DeRemer replied. Chavez-DeRemer then shared with senators concerns about Job Corps participants being unduly 'in harm's way' because of incidents of rape and murder on program sites around the U.S. That claim is one of many challenged this week by the National Job Corps Association, a trade group representing five companies that contract with the labor department to run Job Corps sites. When announcing a pause, Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement that the programs collectively faced 14,913 'serious incident reports,' including 372 instances of 'inappropriate sexual behavior and sexual assaults' at campuses that are home to more than 25,000 participants. The trade group notes that under DOL terminology, 'serious' includes power failures, bad weather, athletic injuries that needed treatment and adult students leaving Job Corps sites without approval. The trade group said Job Corps centers must report 'incidents as minor as being late to class or using profanity.' 'In fact, 98% of reported incidents are similarly minor incidents. Job Corps students experience assaults and sexual violence at far lower rates than their peers in their home communities and on college campuses,' the group said in a fact sheet. The Republican asked a labor department spokeswoman Thursday whether it stands behind its use of statistics in the report. The official did not reply as of 6 p.m. Thursday. In this week's court complaint, lawyers for program operators argued that the 'transparency report' used flawed methods 'and reflects selective and inaccurate performance measures, costs, and statistics, intended to significantly understate Job Corps' performance and overstate its costs.' The filing argues further that the labor department does not have the authority on its own to close the Job Corps program without consulting with Congress (which created the program in 1964), holding hearings and following its own regulations. As for alleged misleading statistics, the following are examples cited by the National Job Corps Association in its court filing and publications: — The report does not take into account that participation in the year reviewed was depressed by pandemic-era limits, resulting in higher costs per student, which the DOL says averaged $80,284 for the 2023 program year. Only a footnote on the report acknowledges this, saying, 'As with other programs, Job Corps' performance was significantly impacted between (Program Year) 2019 and PY 2021 due to COVID-19. PY 2022 and PY 2023 are considered transition years as Job Corps increases student enrollments (and) population builds back up ….' – The report claims that participants earn an average of $16,695 a year after leaving. But the trade group notes that average includes zero earnings for people who did not reply to the survey, are enrolled in college or serving in the military — depressing the true figure. During the program year reviewed, the trade group says that students placed in jobs earned an average wage of $17.13 an hour and that graduates received 'annualized' wages of more than $31,000. 'Comprehensive studies indicate Job Corps increases participants' earnings and decreases their future reliance on public assistance,' the trade group said in a statement. — The report lists the total cost per graduate at $155,600. But the trade group cites other labor department figures showing a cost of under $50,000. And it notes that during the first Trump administration, the cost per participant was found to be $34,301. – The report says just 38.6% of Job Corps students graduate in the year reviewed. The trade group says the current graduation rate is higher and claims that historically, the graduation rate has been above 60%. Cartel associate pleads guilty to drug conspiracy to bring cocaine, heroin to WMass, Vt. 122 acres of Vollinger Farm in Northampton conserved for ag, wildlife Western Mass. man found guilty of raping 3-year-old Springfield community gives thanks to 'quiet doers of good deeds' with Sunday party Man faces arson, assault charges after 6-hour standoff with Springfield police Read the original article on MassLive.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Colin Keane a class act but to ditch Kieran Shoemark with his strike rate? That was quite something
FOR the second time in three years Colin Keane appears to have been gifted an Irish Classic – when your luck is in your luck is in. Keane, of course, rides red-hot favourite Field of Gold in Saturday's Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas, live on ITV. 1 He takes the ride off Kieran Shoemark, who was dumped by either John & Thady Gosden or Juddmonte or both – no-one seems to know the truth - after suffering a narrow defeat in the Newmarket equivalent. My Saturday NAP Wasn't beaten far in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on return from 76 days off and can strip fitter for the run Three years ago Keane picked up winner Westover for the same owners in the Irish Derby after Rob Hornby was seemingly rejected for his performance on that horse at Epsom. On paper it was a gimme and that's how it turned out. I like Keane. He's a six-time champion jockey and has always been charming when I have met him over the years, which was quite a lot in the days when Irish racing was shown on Attheraces. He's also got a sense of humour and is fun. Keane has built up a terrific relationship with Ger Lyons, a man who knows a fine rider when he sees one. And the Meath man has done well for Juddmonte. As well as Westover, Siskin took this race for the Saudi team in 2020 and Babouche scooted up in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes. Irish folk are much more passionate about horse racing than those in the UK, and most won't have a word said against Keane. I'd agree with them. Keane is a class act. But it's always interesting to put a few facts in the mix, particularly in a situation like the one with Field of Gold. Keane rode Juddmonte's Detain, another Gosden animal, in the French 2000 Guineas the other day. The horse was never placed to challenge before running on well. Nothing was said by anyone about the ride, and here we are a few days later with the jockey gaining the biggest mount of them all. If Shoemark had ridden Detain in that way – whether it was a poor ride or not, and I'm not saying it was - the world would have gone mad. I guess that's just life. Equally, Ryan Moore can have a moment he'd like to alter and not a mention. That's the esteem he's held in. In the last five years Keane trades at 13 per cent wins to rides at the Curragh, with 69 successes from 517 mounts. Moore is at 31 per cent with 92 victories from 299 rides. Of course, riding for Ballydoyle his statistics should be impressive, but it's a huge difference. The point is in no way to slate Keane. His talents are clear for all to see and as I have said I'm a fan. It's just the 'one jockey is rubbish' and 'another jockey is amazing' attitude on social media is rarely backed up with statistics. Field of Gold, taught to now settle beautifully by Shoemark, would probably have won the 2000 Guineas at HQ on another day. He will forever wish he had pushed a few strides sooner. But so might the actual hero Ruling Court and so might Shadow of Light, who got there too soon and finished third. Nevertheless, it was enough for the Gosdens or Juddmonte or both to sack a man who, in 2024, was trading for the owners at 30 per cent wins to rides. To throw away someone who is winning for you at that rate is quite something. Would Moore or Keane have been sacked by Ballydoyle or Lyons if they had handled Field of Gold in similar vein? I suggest not. I find all these relationships fascinating. It's part of what makes this such an interesting sport. Shoemark, incidentally, put up one of the rides of the season at Kempton on Wednesday night on roughie Radiant Beauty. No-one seemed to care, but it was pure genius. I really hope Field of Gold wins. He's a gorgeous, impressive horse. The type we should enjoy all season and possibly in 2026 as well. Juddmonte make it interesting by running unbeaten Harry Charlton inmate Cosmic Year under the unstoppable Oisin Murphy, while Moore and O'Brien team up with Officer. Coincidentally, the Bob Baffert-trained Officer was the 4-6 favourite for the 2001 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He was beaten by O'Brien's Johannesburg. Perhaps they just liked the name! Rock Band Keane sang on their Hopes and Fears album 'Everybody's Changing'. Not everybody, just the jockey of Field of Gold. The colt's fans, however, remain loyal, unlike some, to a son of Kingman who should rule this afternoon. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Glasgow Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Colin Keane excited to land Field Of Gold Curragh ride
Keane, attached to the stable of Ger Lyons, has been champion jockey in Ireland for the past five seasons. John and Thady Gosden have gone with local knowledge rather than booking a jockey from the UK after they decided to adopt a 'best available' policy following Field Of Gold's defeat in the English Guineas when ridden by Kieran Shoemark. Keane has already tasted Classic glory in the famous Juddmonte silks, having won the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Siskin for Lyons in 2020 and when he was booked by Ralph Beckett for Westover in the Irish Derby in 2022. Field Of Gold (far side) was a fast-finishing second to Ruling Court at Newmarket (Joe Giddens/PA) 'I'm delighted to be asked to ride him, he looks a very good ride going into the race, I'm very much looking forward to it,' said Keane. 'The Juddmonte colours are those that growing up watching racing, you know who they are. I've been very fortunate to win two Classics wearing them and a couple more Group Ones and I'm just delighted to be asked to ride the colt at the weekend. 'Winning the Irish Guineas a few years ago for Ger was one of my best days. It's such a huge race and Juddmonte hadn't long been in the yard, he was their first Group One together. 'To get a horse of Siskin's calibre very early on was very special and for him to then go and win a Classic was very special, it was a brilliant day.'
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Pride Of Arras slashed into 4-1 for the Derby after impressive York win as The Lion In Winter flops
PRIDE AND JOY Pride Of Arras slashed into 4-1 for the Derby after impressive York win as The Lion In Winter flops Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PRIDE OF ARRAS tamed The Lion In Winter in the Dante and breathed fresh life into the Derby. Ralph Beckett's colt was the least experienced runner in the field but burst through a gap and stayed on stylishly to spring an 18-1 upset in the most important of the Epsom trials. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Pride Of Arras impressed in the Dante Stakes and is now 4-1 for the Derby Credit: Getty Damysus ran on late to take second while The Lion In Winter, backed off the boards late into 8-11, could only finish sixth as he failed to settle early doors under Ryan Moore. It's ironic that Aidan O'Brien has swept all before him in the Classic trials this spring but his top Derby candidate has run the worst race of the lot. With Ballydoyle and Godolphin dominating the antepost betting for the great race, it was no bad thing to have a new face enter the fray and Pride Of Arras has definitely done that. He was slashed into 4-1 from 50s with Derby sponsors Betfred, with O'Brien's Delacroix (2-1) now replacing his stablemate at the head of the betting. The closest Beckett has come to winning the Derby was in 2022 when Westover finished an unlucky third behind Desert Crown, and he reckons this horse has just as much potential. Beckett said: 'I think that was everything I hoped for and more. 'He's a very good work horse and I was confident this was the right place to bring him, I was just not confident about the result. 'A few of mine have been needing the run. I've been tough on him to get him here because he just lacked experience and he'll come forward from today. "He's a very well-balanced horse and I'd be reasonably confident he could go around Epsom and we're looking forward to it. I'd have every confidence the trip won't be an issue. 'He's worthy of his place in the Derby but it's difficult to say he's like my other Classic horses. 'He's not a Westover, he's not Bluestocking. He has a good back pedigree but not the profile of those, if you like. 'But in saying that, he has more speed than Westover, he's a better workhorse than he was. 'If he handles Epsom, which I think he will, and he handles the jamboree, which based on today I think he will, we've every right to think we're going there to be competitive. 'What happens after that, who knows?' Despite his defeat, O'Brien was surprisingly chipper about The Lion In Winter's Epsom prospects. When Moore asked him to quicken he looked pretty one-paced, but they reckon he'll improve a ton for the race and he is still likely to head for the Derby on June 7. O'Brien said: 'Ryan was happy with him so that's a positive, and I think he will take a lot of improvement for it. "He was fresh in the stalls, he over raced and he probably got tired but then he stayed on to the line, which is good. 'There are 23 days to Epsom and he is going to improve. We'll see how he comes out of it.' FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Pride Of Arras slashed into 4-1 for the Derby after impressive York win as The Lion In Winter flops
PRIDE OF ARRAS tamed The Lion In Winter in the Dante and breathed fresh life into the Derby. Ralph Beckett's colt was the least experienced runner in the field but burst through a gap and stayed on stylishly to spring an 18-1 upset in the most important of the Epsom trials. Advertisement 1 Pride Of Arras impressed in the Dante Stakes and is now 4-1 for the Derby Credit: Getty Damysus ran on late to take second while The Lion In Winter, backed off the boards late into 8-11, could only finish sixth as he failed to settle early doors under Ryan Moore. It's ironic that Aidan O'Brien has swept all before him in the Classic trials this spring but his top Derby candidate has run the worst race of the lot. With Ballydoyle and Godolphin dominating the antepost betting for the great race, it was no bad thing to have a new face enter the fray and Pride Of Arras has definitely done that. He was slashed into 4-1 from 50s with Derby sponsors Betfred, with O'Brien's Delacroix (2-1) now replacing his stablemate at the head of the betting. Advertisement The closest Beckett has come to winning the Derby was in 2022 when Westover finished an unlucky third behind Desert Crown, and he reckons this horse has just as much potential. Beckett said: 'I think that was everything I hoped for and more. 'He's a very good work horse and I was confident this was the right place to bring him, I was just not confident about the result. 'A few of mine have been needing the run. I've been tough on him to get him here because he just lacked experience and he'll come forward from today. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing "He's a very well-balanced horse and I'd be reasonably confident he could go around Epsom and we're looking forward to it. I'd have every confidence the trip won't be an issue. 'He's worthy of his place in the Derby but it's difficult to say he's like my other Classic horses. 'He's not a Westover, he's not Bluestocking. He has a good back pedigree but not the profile of those, if you like. 'But in saying that, he has more speed than Westover, he's a better workhorse than he was. Advertisement 'If he handles Epsom, which I think he will, and he handles the jamboree, which based on today I think he will, we've every right to think we're going there to be competitive. 'What happens after that, who knows?' Despite his defeat, O'Brien was surprisingly chipper about The Lion In Winter's Epsom prospects. When Moore asked him to quicken he looked pretty one-paced, but they reckon he'll improve a ton for the race and he is still likely to head for the Derby on June 7. Advertisement O'Brien said: 'Ryan was happy with him so that's a positive, and I think he will take a lot of improvement for it. "He was fresh in the stalls, he over raced and he probably got tired but then he stayed on to the line, which is good. 'There are 23 days to Epsom and he is going to improve. We'll see how he comes out of it.' FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
